Umar Akmal: “I remember his [Younis] words, ‘I will see who will allow you to play cricket in the future’”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal has claimed that former head coach and legendary pace bowler Waqar Younis threatened to expel him from the national team if he refused to keep in Test matches.

Akmal made the astonishing allegations during the final of the Pakistan Cup on Sunday, where his side, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were beaten by Federal Areas by five wickets.

“Talking about the Pakistan cricket team, I accept that I refused to perform wicketkeeping duties in Test matches. However, I did [keep] in limited overs cricket for three [to] four years,” Akmal was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “There our coach back then Waqar Younis told me to [keep] in Test matches, but I refused because we had a series ahead in Dubai, where Misbah ul Haq [the then skipper] used to play three spinners and one fast bowler.

“I remember his [Younis] words, ‘I will see who will allow you to play cricket in the future’, to which I pleaded that I want to play for my country.”

Akmal, who has also made some staggering claims about head coach Mickey Arthur in the past, has not represented Pakistan since January 2017.